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Lives overlapping

U.S. premiere of German play gets tight Studio production

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‘The Golden Dragon’
Through Dec. 11
Studio Theatre
1501 14th Street, NW
$35-$69
202-332-3300
studiotheatre.org

The cast of ‘The Golden Dragon.’ (Photo courtesy Studio)

When the rotten tooth of a newly arrived Asian immigrant employed at a Chinese restaurant in a European city can land in the steamy soup of a sleepy flight attendant who has stopped by for a late bite after completing an eighteen hour flight home from South America, there is little question that the world has become an increasingly interconnected place.

With “The Golden Dragon,” Germany’s most-produced playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig makes the concept of globalization relatable by overlapping the tough lives of economic refugees with those who live (sometimes literally) on top of them but never really see them. While a lot of what Schimmelpfennig portrays is very comic, he’s also not afraid to reveal the seamier side of a shrinking planet whose people meet on a less-than-even playing field.

At 80 minutes, this funny/disturbing work is centered on the lives of those who live and toil in one particular urban building. Through deftly drawn, quick paced, surprising scenes, various stories unfold. On the first floor there’s a Chinese/Thai/Vietnamese restaurant (the Golden Dragon). In its tiny kitchen five Asians busily turn out various dishes whose ingredients — ginger, chicken, button mushrooms, etc. — they mechanically pronounce aloud. Occasionally the youngest among them howls in pain from a horrendous toothache. Because he’s an undocumented worker with no money, a dentist is out of the question. Instead, the kitchen’s male elder addresses the problem with a pair of red-handled pliers.

In the apartments above the Golden Dragon other dramas play out: A straight couple’s marriage hits the rocks hard; an old man mourns the loss of his youth and virility; a young couple deals with an unwanted pregnancy; and a creepy shopkeeper tragically shares his Asian sex slave.

For this tight and well executed Studio Theatre production (the play’s U.S. premiere), gay director Serge Seiden brings together an especially diverse cast of three men and two women who cross age, race and gender to play 16 characters. Using a few props (including woks and spatulas) and minimal costumes (paper hats and hand bags), they adroitly move and switch roles through the play’s many brief-but-often-intense scenes. The phenomenal pacing and precise staging isn’t easy, but for press matinee the talented ensemble was definitely on point, working together as if the show were much further into its five-week run.

Local favorite Sarah Marshall (who’s gay) effectively plays a wide range of characters from maternal old cook to sleazy middle-aged man. Also featured are Amir Darvish (well known for playing the late gay rock star Freddie Mercury in an acclaimed off-Broadway one-man show), Joseph Anthony Foronda, KK Moggie and Chris Myers.

The design team is terrific too. Michael Giannitti’s lighting ingeniously alters Debra Booth’s gray blank slate set. At one point, he recreates that specific lighting found on a transatlantic flight when most passengers are still asleep and someone opens their window shade, allowing a stream of glaring morning sun to enter the cabin; and later he captures the nocturnal glow of the street lamp seen from a darkened apartment.

Though set in Europe, Schimmelpfennig’s play is, of course, entirely relevant here too. His writing and Seiden’s fine production are both thought provoking and not easily forgotten.

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PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

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Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

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Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co. 

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

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Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, May 3

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Monday, May 5

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Tuesday, May 6

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected]

Wednesday, May 7

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected]

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected]

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